Howard Johnson Restaurants Completely Gone in Michigan

When I was a kid I got my first Hojo experience on the Ohio and Pennsylvania Turnpikes...they were all over the place on those 'pikes!

I loved the Hojo fudge - best I ever tasted - along with the Tendersweet Clam dinner and their ice cream sodas, made with any of their "28 flavors".

Mid-Michigan had its fair share of these eateries and they are sadly all gone. The chain's peak of popularity was in the 60's and by 1979, it's decline had begun.

By the 2000's, there were less than ten in the whole USA and now there is only one left - in Lake George, New York. Even though it still has the famous orange roof, you wouldn't know it was a Hojo if someone blindfolded you and set you inside.

Below are some photos of former Hojo locations in Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo. There are also stills from old Howard Johnson commercials and video to go with 'em.